Major Dean L. Washburn, USMC retired, passed away suddenly on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011, at the age of 72.

He was the beloved husband of Patricia Washburn of 46 years, loving father of Michael and his wife, Denise (Dee), Gary and Jeffery and his wife Leslie of Pittsburgh and grandfather to Garrett of LaPlace and Emily and Jack of Pittsburgh. He is also survived by his sisters, Anne Fisher of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Sue and husband, John Livingston of Mercer Island, Wash., and his brother, Eric of LaGranda Cordoba, Argentina. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Marceline, father, Harold Dickinson, and his brother, Alan Dickinson.

Dean was born Nov. 16, 1938, and was a native of Indiana. As a member of an Army family, he lived in many places. After graduating from Cal-poly, California he joined the Marines in 1961. After two tours in Vietnam, he retired in Toms River, N.J. Dean joined the Brick Police Dept., Brick, N.J. He rose to the rank of captain and retired from the department after 23 years. He then moved to LaPlace to babysit and has been a resident for the past 16 years. Dean was a member of VFW Post No. 8867 of New Jersey, Durand Lodge No. 179 F & AM, Military Officers Assocation of America, Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, Marine Support Group of N.O., The 9th Engineer Association and the American Diabetes Association.

He loved helping out at St. Joan of Arc School and attending Garrett’s baseball and soccer games.

Visitation and services were held at Millet-Guidry Funeral Home in LaPlace on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Diabetes Association preferred.